Watchman&#39;s-clock-key holder.



No. 697,066. Patented Apr. 8, |902.

A. BEYER.

WATCHMANS CLOCK KEY HOLDER.

(Application med Nov. 12, 1900.) N o M o d el.)

alla

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

ALOIS BEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLIOIS.

WATCHMANS-CLOCK-KEY HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,066, dated April 8, 1902.

Application led November 12,1900. Serial No. 36,151. (No model.

To @ZZ whom t 777,095/ concern:

Be it known that I, ALOIS BEYER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Holders for Vatchmenls-Clock Keys, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specilication.

My invention relates to means for holding keys employed for that class of watchmens clocks which are usually carried bythe watchmen from post to post or station to station where the key is located and the clock there manipulated by means of such key, thus compelling the watchmantomakehisrounds at the proper time in order to get tothe various keys; and my invention has for its primary object 'to provide improved an d simple means whereby such keys may be immovably fixed at the post or station, and the watchman thereby prevented from detaching the key and taking it to a more convenient place for manipulating the clock at the proper hour.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the key will be protected from dirt and detrimental atmospheric influences.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved key-holder in its normal condition. Fig. 2 is a perspective view'ofone end thereof, showing the key withdrawn in readiness to manipulate the clock. Fig, 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the key in place in the holder; and Fig. t is a transverse section taken on the line 44, Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention I employ a tube or sheath l, which is secured at one end to the building, wall, or other fixed part 2 by devices which will permit the sheath 1 to be turned into a convenient attitude formanipulating the key and at the same time prevent either the key or the sheath from being removed. This means preferably consists of a bracket having a back portion 3, through which rivets or nails or other suitable attaching devices 4 are driven into the wall or object 2, and side portions or ears 5, which are pinched together over the heads of the screws 4 and are pivoted by means of a rivet 6 to a flattened end 7 of the sheath 1, so that while the sheath is pivotally attached to the bracket the bracket may not be detached from the wall without destroying or defacing some of the parts.

S represents the key, which may be of the usual or any suitable form,but ofaforxn which will pass into the sheath 1, and it is securely attached to the outer end of a chain or other flexible connection 9, whose inner end is connected in any suitable way to a follower 10, the means of connection between the chain and follower being a U-shaped staple 11.

Arranged in the outer end of the tube or rsheath 1 is a ring 12,which constitutes a shoulder, between which and the follower 10 is insei-ted a coil-spring 13, the spring surrounding the chain, key, and staple 1l and serving to pull the same through the ring 12 and into the sheath 1. To the outer end of the chain 9, however, is attached a knob or ball l/I1 by means of a link 15 or other suitable flexible connection, which passes, together with the key 8, through the ring 12 and into the sheath, the outer end of the key resting normally within the ring 12 and the ball or knob 14: being normally pulled against the outer end of the sheath, so as to constitute a stopper for closing the sheath and excluding dirt and moisture. Then it is desired to use the key, therefore, it will be seen that the same may be rendered accessible by simply pulling on the knob 14, and when the latter is released the spring will again pull the key into the sheath and cause the ball or knob to close the outer end of the latter.

Another important feature of my invention is a stop 16, which appears in the form of a spur or hook struck out from the end of the tube or sheath 1 and is adapted to engage in one of the links of the chain 9 when the latter is pulled out, so as to hold the spring from recoiling until the key has been used.

While I have described my invention as a means for holding the keys of watchmens clocks, it will nevertheless be understood that IOO this is only One example Of the many differ- I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by- Letters Patent, is-

l. In adevice for the purpose described the combination of the'key, the sheath l having a ring 12in one end thereohthe follower 10, a flexible connection between A'said follower and key for drawing said key into said ring, said key resting normally withinsaidring, a spring surrounding said flexible connection and bearing between said follower and ring and a knob having Operative connection with saidr key and remaining normally Outside of said sheath, substantially as set forth.

2. In. a device for the purpose described the combination of a sheath, a yielding elastic connection in said sheath, arkey inserted in said sheath and connected at its inner end tO vsaid elasticconnection, la knob adapted to come against the outer end of said sheath and an elongated link connecting said knob with usiamo said elasticiconnection at the inner end of said key, substantially as set forth.`

In a device for the'purposedescribed the combinationv of a key, a sheath forcontaining n said key having one end attened, a bracket;

5, fastening devices passngthroughsaid sof bracket 5, said brackety havingl ears mashed v together against and pivoted to said flattened end ofthe sheath and covering said fastening devices so as to prevent access 4to theIlatter,

end and vcoveringsaid fastening devices soy as tO prevent .access to thev latter, substantially as set forth.

Y Witnesses:v

F. A. HOPKINS, l EDNA B. JOHNSON.

ALOIs BEYER.k 

